Broadcast reception

Abstract: A broadcast reception apparatus can detect a changed reception channel without using an extra memory. A signal from an aerial (1) is supplied to a tuner (2) which is connected to a reception channel preset means (3) and a channel setting means (4). A signal received by the tuner (2) is supplied to a PDC decoder (6) and a decoded television programme ID is supplied to a control microcomputer (7). A network code in the television programme ID is supplied to a comparator (72), and a network code provided when LUF = "1" is detected is supplied to a memory (73). Compared results are supplied to a controller (74) which sequentially outputs a channel selection control signal to the channel setting means (4) if the compared results do not agree. If the compared results agree, a signal representing the reception channel provided at that time is supplied to a television programme reserve circuit (71). A signal from the television programme reserve circuit (71) is supplied to a recording circuit (8), whereby a video signal from the tuner (2) or the like is recorded.

Description: The present invention relates to broadcast reception apparatus and methods for receiving a broadcast signal into which a programme ID (identification) code, such as a PDC (programme delivery control) code, is inserted. In order smoothly to implement timer-activated recording (or reserve recording) by a VCR (video cassette recorder), for example, services for superimposing an ID (identification) code of a present television broadcasting programme in a part of a particular horizontal scanning line of a blanking period of a video signal or a teletext signal are now commercially available in a part of areas in European countries. In a so-called PDC (programme delivery control) system implemented in the U.K. and the Netherlands, a code signal is provided on a part of a teletext broadcast. Then, a predetermined programme ID called a label is determined in every broadcasting programme by using such code signal. When a broadcasting time of the programme, for example, is extended, the programme ID is continued so long as the programme is continued. Therefore, when such programme is recorded by a VCR, the recording can be continued by detecting the programme ID so long as the programme being recorded is extended. As shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, the programme ID (called a label in the PDC system) includes a broadcast day, a broadcast start time and network codes of broadcast channels. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a television programme 1 of the broadcast channel of the network code BB1 is scheduled to be broadcast from 7:00 and a television programme 2 is scheduled to be broadcast as television broadcast schedules on 10th of November. In that case, the television programme ID is set to [11/10 7:00 BBC1] for the television programme 1 and [11/10 9:00 BBC1] for the television programme 2. If the broadcast of the television programme 1 is extended as shown in FIG. 1A, for example, the television programme ID [11/10 7:00 BBC1] is continued during the extended period of the television programme 1 as shown in FIG. 1B. Accordingly, when the television programme 1 is reserved, for example, the recording of the television programme 1 is continued to the end thereof as shown in FIG. 1C by controlling the recording of the VCR on the basis of the detected television programme ID. If the television programme 2 is reserved, then, as shown in FIG. 1D, the recording is started when the television programme 1 has ended and the television programme 2 has started. In this way, even when the broadcast time of the television programme, for example, is extended, it is possible accurately to record the reserved television programme. In the PDC system, a special code is defined by using an impossible time and day. Specifically, [15/0 28:63] is defined as a Cont code indicating a continuity. This code is transmitted instead of the television programme ID when the television programme ID cannot be transmitted temporarily because of various reasons, such as trouble with the transmitting apparatus for transmitting the television programme ID or a switching processing of a network. Therefore, in the control of the VCR, as shown in FIG. 2, the recording is continued during the time that the Cont code is transmitted. A code [15/0 29:63], for example, is defined as an Int code representing an interruption. The Int code is transmitted when a certain television programme is interrupted by another television programme, such as a news special. Therefore, in the control of the VCR, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the recording is interrupted during the time that the Int code is transmitted, and the recording is resumed when the transmission of the Int code is finished. A code [15/0 30:63], for example, is defined as an RT/I code representing that the television programme is not broadcast. The RT/I code is transmitted during the period in which the television programme is not broadcast, such as a period between television programmes and a test pattern broadcast or the like. Therefore, in the control of the VCR, as shown in FIG. 4, when the RT/I code is transmitted, the recording is interrupted. A code [15/0 31:63], for example, is defined as a TC code representing that a timer control is effected with a priority. The TC code is transmitted when the television programme is broadcast on time although the television programme ID is not transmitted because of trouble occurring in the television programme ID transmitting apparatus. Therefore, in the control of the VCR, as shown in FIG. 5, when the TC code is transmitted, the recording is carried out in accordance with some suitable means, such as a timer housed in the VCR or the like. As described above, even when various troubles occur, it is possible accurately to record reserved television programmes. In the television programme ID, the reserved broadcast date and broadcast channel can be changed by means of the transmission of the television programme ID. Specifically, in that case, a label update flag (LUF) is set to a part of the television programme ID. When the LUF is "1", a television programme ID of changed broadcast date and broadcast channel is transmitted. Specifically, FIG. 6 shows a case in which the television programme 1 which is scheduled to be broadcast on the broadcast channel of the network code BBC1 from 11/10 7:00 is changed to a broadcast channel of the network BBC2 on 11/13 7:30. In that case, the television broadcast ID which should become [11/10 7:00 BBC1 LUF = 0] becomes [11/13 7:30 BBC2 LUF = 1]. Thus, the VCR changes the setting of the reserved recording scheduled in 11/10 7:00 to 8:00 to the setting of the recording scheduled as 11/13 7:30 to 8:30 and is then placed in the standby mode. FIG. 7 shows a case in which the television programme of the broadcast channel in the network BBC1 scheduled from 11/10 7:00 to 9:00 is extended by the broadcast channel of the network BBC2. In that case, the television programme ID of [11/10 7:00 BBC1 LUF = 0], for example, is changed to [11/10 9:01 BBC2 LUF = 1] although the transmission of the television programme ID is not finished. Thus, the VCR changes the broadcasting channel reserved to the broadcasting channel of the network code BBC1 to the broadcasting channel of the network code BBC2 after 11/10 9:01 and then continues the recording. Therefore, even when the broadcast date and broadcast channel of the reserved television programme are changed, it is possible accurately to record the reserved television programme. In the VCR, however, it is customary that only the necessary broadcasting channel is set in the preset means. In that case, a place in which a necessary broadcasting channel is preset in the present means is not determined so that, when the broadcast channel is changed as described above, it is not possible for the user to know the place where the changed broadcast channel is preset in the preset means. There has been considered a method in which the user designates the presetting of the broadcast channel and a microcomputer for control operation is provided with a network code table. This method imposes extra work on the user and requires an extra memory for memorizing the network code table in the microcomputer. Further, it is necessary to change the microcomputer to cope with changes, such as a change of a network code and a newly-established broadcast station. Furthermore, although there is a method for memorizing network codes when a broadcast channel is preset, it is necessary to provide a memory to memorize network codes in each of the preset means. This method cannot be effected if the network code is not broadcast when the network code is preset in the preset means. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus as defined in Claim 1 and a method as defined in Claim 8. The invention will now be further described, by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGS. 1A to IC and 2 to 7 are respective schematic diagrams used to explain a programme delivery control (PDC) system; FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing an arrangement of a broadcast reception apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 9 is a flowchart to which reference will be made in explaining operation of a broadcast reception apparatus. An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 8, a signal received at an aerial (antenna) 1 is supplied to a tuner 2. A reception channel present means 3 is connected to the tuner 2 and a channel setting means 4 is connected to the reception channel preset means 3. When the channel setting means 4 is controlled by a signal supplied from an operation means 5, for example, the reception channel preset means 3 is selected by the channel setting means 4 and a signal set in the reception channel preset means 3 is supplied to the tuner 2, whereby reception of a desired channel is effected. The signal received by the tuner 2 is supplied to a PDC decoder 6. In the PDC decoder 6, the signal supplied thereto is supplied to a television programme ID detector 61 and a signal from the detector 61 is supplied to a decoder 62, whereby data in the received signal transmitted as the television programme ID is decoded. The data decoded by the decoder 62 is supplied to a control microcomputer 7. In the microcomputer 7, the data from the decoder 62 is supplied to a television programme reserve circuit 71 in which recording reserved data previously set by operation means (not shown) is changed when LUF = "1", for example, is detected. A network code is detected from the television programme ID supplied from the decoder 62. The network code thus detected is supplied to a comparator 72 and the network code provided when LUF = "1" is detected is supplied to a memory 73. Then, the network code from the television programme ID in the received signal and the network code memorized in the memory 73 are compared with each other by the comparator 72. A compared result from the comparator 72 is supplied to a controller 74. Thus, the controller 74 sequentially supplies a channel-selection control signal to the channel setting means 4 while the network codes are not coincident. When the network codes are coincident with each other, a signal representing a reception channel provided at that very time is supplied to the television programme reserve circuit 71. A counter 75 counts the number with which the comparator 72 outputs the compared result. When the number counted by the counter 75 reaches a predetermined value or greater, a signal representing the channel provided before the channel is changed is supplied to the television programme reserve circuit 71 in order to avoid an infinite loop and the television programme reserve circuit 71 is disabled. A signal from the television programme reserve circuit 71 is supplied to a recording circuit 8 which records video signals, such as a video signal from the tuner 2 or the like. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the processing of the microcomputer 7. Referring to FIG. 9, following the destination channel determining process, a counter that is housed in the VCR, though not shown, is reset at step S1. Then, a network code of destination channel is detected at step S2, and a reception channel 1 is selected by the reception channel preset means 3 in step S3. In the next step S4, "1" is added to the housed counter and the processing proceeds to the next decision step S5. It is determined in decision step S5 whether or not the count value of the housed counter is "200" or greater. If the count value is "200" or smaller as represented by a N0 at decision step S5, then the processing proceeds to step S6, at which the television programme ID in the received signal is detected. In the next decision step S7, it is determined whether or not the LUF in the detected television programme ID is "1". If the LUF is "1", as represented by a YES at decision step S7, then the processing returns to step S4. If, on the other hand, a N0 is output at decision step S7, then the processing proceeds to the next decision step S8. It is determined at decision step S8 whether or not the network code of the destination channel and the network code in the received television programme ID agree with each other. If the network codes do not agree, as represented by a N0 at decision step S8, then the processing proceeds to step S9, wherein "1" is added to the reception channel, after which the processing is returned to step S4. If, on the other hand, the network codes agree, as represented by a YES at decision step S8, then the processing proceeds to step S10, wherein the reception channel provided at that time is set to the destination channel. Further, if the count value of the housed counter becomes greater than "200" as represented by a YES at decision step S5, then the processing proceeds to step S11, wherein the preceding channel is set to the destination channel. Then, the processing is ended. According to the apparatus described above, when the reception channel is changed, the preset channel is sequentially selected and ID codes are compared, whereby the changed reception channel can be detected with ease without using an extra memory or the like. If the count value of the housed counter becomes greater than "200", as represented by a YES at decision step S5, in the next step S11, the preceding channel is set to the destination channel, thereby preventing the processing from entering the infinite loop. Further, the processing operation, such as a timer- activated recording operation (reserve operation) or the like, may be conventional and therefore need not be described herein. The present invention can be applied to the system such as the VPS system implemented in Germany. Furthermore, although the PDC system allows a plurality of television programme IDs to be transmitted simultaneously, in that case, the present invention can be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the system. According to the above-described apparatus, when the reception channel is changed, the preset channel is sequentially selected and ID codes are compared, whereby the changed reception channel can be detected with ease without using an extra memory or the like. Having described a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications could be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims: A video recorder apparatus comprising: a tuner (2) for receiving broadcast signals into which predetermined television programme labels are inserted, the labels including network codes; tuner preset means (3) having storage locations for storing data for setting the tuner (2) to respective networks, the said data being randomly assignable to the locations; detecting means (6) for detecting at least network codes of the received signals; memory means (73) for storing the network code of the programme label of a television programme desired to be received; comparing means (72) for comparing the network code of a detected network code with the stored network code; means (4) for selecting the storage locations of the preset means (3); and control means (7) for controlling said video recorder apparatus such that, when the compared network codes differ, preset locations in said preset means (3) are sequentially selected by said selecting means (4) and the network code of the label of the signal received for each preset location is compared in the comparing means (72) with the stored network code, and the one of the preset locations for which the compared network codes match is thereby determined. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means (7) includes means (75) for counting the number of sequential comparisons performed by the comparing means (72), comparisons being terminated at a predetermined count. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a programme label may indicate (LUF=1) a new network code for a desired programme, and the control means (7) causes the new network code to be stored in the memory means (73) when the detecting means detects a label indicating the change. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the label includes a flag (LUF) indicating whether (LUF=1) or not (LUF=0) there is a change of network code for a desired programme, and when the detecting mean (6) detects the flag (LUF=1) indicating the change of network code, the network code of the said label having the flag (LUF=1) indicating the change is stored in the memory means (73). Apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, further comprising recorder control means (71) for causing the recording means to record a desired programme identified by a said television programme label and detected by the said detecting means (6). Apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising operation means for storing in the recorder control means (71) data indicative of a desired programme to be recorded. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 when dependent on claim 3, or 4, wherein the said data stored in the recorder control means (71) is modified in response to an indication (LUF=1) of a change of network code of the desired programme. A reception method in a video recorder apparatus including a counter (75), a tuner (2) for receiving a broadcast signal into which is inserted a predetermined television programme label which includes a network code and which may include network code change information (LUF=1) indicative of a new network code for a programme, detecting means (6) for detecting said television programme label, means (73) for storing a network code, comparing means (72) for comparing the network code of a detected programme label with the stored network code, means (3) having storage locations for storing data for presetting the tuner (2) to respective networks, the data being randomly assignable to the locations, channel setting means (4) for setting the presets, and control means for controlling the video recorder apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: (1) resetting (S1) the counter (75) when change information (LUF=1) is detected; (2) detecting (S2) a new network code associated with the change information (LUF=1); (3) selecting (S3) a storage location of said preset means (3); (4) adding (S4) "1" to a count value of said counter (75); (5) detecting (S5) whether or not the count of said counter (75) is larger than a predetermined value; (6) detecting (S6) in a received signal the network code of the network to which the selected storage location of the preset means (3) is preset when said count is less than the predetermined value; (7) judging (S7) whether change information (LUF=1) is associated with the detected network code; (8) determining (S8) whether or not the said new network code of step (2) and the detected network code of step (6) match, if it is determined in step (7) that no television programme change information (LUF=0) is associated with the network code detected in step (6); and (9) the control means (7) then either selecting (S9) another reception channel if it is determined in said eighth step (S8) that said network codes do not match or if programming change information (LUF=1) is detected in the seventh step (S7) returning the processing to said fourth step (S4), (10) setting, as the storage location to be used in recording, that storage location of the preset means (3) corresponding to the network having the said new network code when network code matching is established in step (8); and (11) terminating the steps when the count in the counter (75) exceeds the predetermined value.

Inventors: INOUE HIRAKU, INOUE, HIRAKU, INOUE, HIRAKU, C/O INT. PROPERTY DIVISION
Applicants: SONY CORP, SONY CORPORATION
Application year: 1994
Main classification: H04N7
IPC codes: H04N5, H04N7, H03J7